The Story of the Porter

Stacey left the Arabian Nights with Gaius. He flicked through the pages idly. What had happened to the fisherman?

But the story had gone off on another tangent. Now it was about the king whose gift of fish had been burnt. The king had undertaken a journey to find the pool in which the fish had been caught. Nearby he found a palace where dwelt a sad young man, whose nether parts had been turned to stone by magic.......

These stories never end, said Gaius. He flicked a few more pages, and found himself reading the story of the porter. Good heavens! It was licentious! The ladies in this story did not behave like any ladies that he knew! Thank goodness Stacey had stopped reading when she did.

He shut the book with a snap.

Arthur returned, with something bulging in his pocket.

Everyone went back to sleep.

What a long night it always seems, in the cheap seats on a train. But at last it was morning. And there was a lot of reddish scenery to see.

By lunch time they arrived in Alice Springs.

Hurrah! said Lavender.

Wheee! said Ouvert. Now to find Baby Pierre and Ageless! I wonder where they are?

We are going to the Museum of Central Australia, said Gaius. I wish to meet the Curator of Earth Sciences there, and examine his giant claw.

I thought we were going to Alcoota Station, said Arthur.

Later, later, said Gaius. But the claw is at the museum, I believe. I shouldn't be surprised if Ageless and Baby Pierre are there as well, as Ageless has an interest in the claw.

We'll come with you, said Lavender. Where's the book? We have to give it to Ageless.

I shall give it to Ageless myself, said Gaius. No need for you to bother with it now.

But we want to give it to him, said Lavender. Like Kobo said.

No, said Gaius, it is not a suitable book for you two to be handling. I confess it made me blush.

Lavender looked puzzled. Then the light dawned.

Oh, she said. You must have read the story of the porter!